All the world’s a stage…
We went for a spot of culture last weekend. Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” played in the open air. The local theatre group performed admirably to bring the plot to life- twins separated as their parents were torn apart by a storm at sea; and just to make the comedy more complicated, their two servants were also identical twins…
Cue mistaken identities, broken promises, general confusion, an arrest or three- with the warmly anticipated happy ending.
Shakespeare’s witty writing is based on acute observation of human interaction. Actors bring it to life through expressions and eloquent delivery: in the photo we have a scheming wife, a doubtful husband, and a servant who is about to have the most confusing day of his life!
The servants, both named Dromeo, provide the light relief – and add a running explanation for the audience. It was great fun!
Have you ever considered that the Bible contains great drama? Tragedies, comedies, high tension… Threats and promises, agreements and battles, eloquent poetry: it’s all there. Sometimes we read the Bible as if it were a dull-but-worthy textbook. No!
It’s the greatest drama of God and Humanity, where the characters bring Truth to life. Try imagining the expressions on the faces of the disciples, Pharisees, and crowd when Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son (which could also be called the “Forgiving Father”, or the “Unforgiving Brother”, or the “Good Weather Friends”). It’s a story with twists and turns, unlikely outcomes, and raw human emotions in a family setting. It should be impossible for anyone to preach a boring sermon on this brilliant story (but sadly you may have heard one!).
Writing captures our imagination. “Read me a story!” says the child. “Read it again!”
Favourite books and favourite authors populate our minds with wonder, dread, and joy. We learn of life through our “big” stories, covering right and wrong, justice and revenge, true love and cheats, kings/queens and heroic men & women, prophets and poets, fantasy and fiction, myth and magic.
Life often gets complicated because of “simple mistakes” that have tortuous consequences; and the BEST stories have a redemption theme at their heart. Oh! I’ve just described the Bible…
The Reflectionary 